Versa 2 inaccurate during workout

[Jamie_M13]

I’ve noticed that my Versa 2 has been inaccurate during my workouts lately.  My heart rate zone is showing much lower than actual during cardio (showing 80 to 90 bpm when actually around 130).  Is there a fix for this?  I’ve tried wiping the sensor but that hasn’t seemed to help.

[Dustc21 · Accepted solution]

This issue started for me with the new update for tracking zone points. It is worse this morning with a resting HR of 56.  Never in my life has it been 56 and the tracking in the app even shows the abrupt change

[CindiLi]

Mine seems to be like that too.  I’ll be on the elliptical and it will be right at around 125bpm (which I would expect) then I’ll look another time and it will be at 93 which I know is not accurate at all...then it will reflect back up later.  It does seem to help if I wipe the sensors right before I work out but doesn’t solve it altogether. Mine is new so I’ve been debating on whether or not to exchange it.

[MrMarv]

@Jamie_M13 @Dustc21 @CindiLi -

I have noticed erratic heart rate reporting in a few of the exercise apps and not just on my Versa 2 (both of them) but also on my Charge 3 before.

With my heart rate at 68, I started a "Workout" exercise, sat on the incline of my Total Gym, looked to make sure the timer was running and WHAM! 116 bpm. Huh? Unfortunately, I didn't save that exercise record so I cannot share it with you, but...

Since retiring, I routinely hit the treadmill for an hour at least twice a day and often kick in a shorter exercise. I have a FitBit calculated Resting Heart Rate of 63 approximately 95% of the time. So you would think that if I was on the treadmill for a brisk walk at three mph I would be at least in Fat Burn or close to it for the whole hour, right? I would surely be above resting heart rate during the complete exercise.

Nope.

Twenty minutes into the three mph walk and my heart rate drops to 7 bpm below resting? And 11 bpm below resting at 4 minutes in? Give me a break.

Or how about this one - 

Really? 151 bpm? My heart is incapable of reaching that number. Yes 220 - my age of 68 equals 152 but I take beta blockers and they throttle my heart rate down to the effect of making my Max HR 120 bpm. And that throttling extends into exercising. Search for the Harvard Medical School Harvard Health Letter from November of last year. My cardiologist even told me to not to go over 110 for any sustained period of time.

Some people say to move the device higher up on the arm even when on the treadmill - I could see that helping if I was lifting weights, kettle balling, hitting a punching bag or on an elliptical or any other activity where I would be flexing my wrists.

I am not flexing my wrist during treadmill exercises. I allow my arm to loosely hang by my leg and barely traveling a foot back and forth. Picture a Marine marching in formation - even after all these years I still have a tendency to slightly cup my hand and place my thumb at the last knuckle of my index finger and let the arm travel naturally. The same way I walk around the house or at the grocery store - and those activities don't generate wild heart rate swings.

Have a great day, people.

[CindiLi]

So I went on a 3.5 mile walk this morning as I like to do some mornings in the neighborhood.  I have to go up a steep hill and “normally” (at least with my FitBit Inspire HR it would consistently read 130-135 up the hill).  All the way up today, it showed 93, 95 98, not even to fat burn level and a number I can get simply walking around my house or cleaning.  Finally at the top of the hill after I was walking on flat ground for a minute or so it went up to 125.  This is quite frustrating.  I shut it down and re-started it and am hoping tomorrow morning on my elliptical it is more accurate, if not, I’ve only had it a couple of weeks, I will exchange it.  My sister and a friend don’t seem to have this problem with theirs.

[CindiLi]

After shutting down my Versa 2 through the watch (settings, about, shut down) and then re-starting it I am happy to say it tracked my walk today more accurately.  130-140 on the hills and 100-110 on the flat areas.

[Jamie_M13]

Tried this and it definitely seemed to help! Thanks

[CindiLi]

This worked for several days but then this morning it was doing it again when I was on the elliptical.  I'd look down at my watch and it would sporadically show 92, and then it would go back up to 120 or so.  I hope I don't have to shut it down and re-start every few days.

[GemzelB]

Have you managed to fix your heart rate issue? 

[Dustc21]

No.  Still very low

[NHRunnerGirl]

Where is a fitbit support person on this matter. I had been seriously questioning my versa as I didn’t seem to burn the same calories or get my heart rate up the same as my blaze. I had to get a new versa because it just died and while I waited I used an old charge 2. This one gave me more accurate heart rate data. When I was vigorously doing house work I at least got in fat burn. Now the only way I get in to the zones are working out really hard and even then I sometimes get some “below zones”. I’m wondering if it’s all wrapped up to the active minutes vs. active zones. It seems like the new calculations they use in the newer watches make each zone category higher (I have to be 104 to reach fat burn for instance). I’d really like a fitbit person to help us all out here!!!!

[Dustc21]

I have moved onto a Garmin, I have been with fitbit for many years but their customer service just isn't there. I love my new Vivoactive 4

[Bill-Fit]

really frustrating.  this is 2nd replacement for dead screen.  AND it does not accurately track my HR.  appeared to do so first week I got it but since then wildly underestimating.  Used to record significant time in peak and cardio while weight training.  now I get 0 minutes in those categories and my workout intensity has not changed.  no way my HR is higher getting dressed afterward or washing the car than after several sets of heavy squats or deadlifts that leave me gasping for breath.   makes the device virtually useless for me.

[Bshopper]

Seems to be a common issue - what is the fix?